May 10, 2007

Eighteen top students have been named Dean’s Medalists for the Class of 2007 at California State University, Fresno.

The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs. The dean of each college/school selects an undergraduate medalist and a graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements.

At the 96th Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Save Mart Center, President John D. Welty will announce the winner of the President’s Medal. It is the university’s top student recognition and is presented to one of the undergraduate medalists.

The Class of 2007 undergraduate Dean’s Medalists are:

• Chad M. Souza of Hanford – College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

• Michael E. Olsen of Hanford – College of Arts and Humanities

• Clint Robert Stitser of Reno, Nev. – Craig School of Business

• Ser Cha of Fresno – Kremen School of Education and Human Development

• Sean M. Smith of Visalia – College of Engineering

• Maria L. Ramos of Porterville – College of Health and Human Services

• Felix R. Perez of Fresno – College of Science and Mathematics

• Bradley Hart of Fresno – College of Social Sciences

• Sweet Khaing Thet Aung of Myanmar – Division of Student Affairs

One of nine graduate medalists who are receiving master’s degrees will be named University Graduate Medal winner at the Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, in the Save Mart Center.

The 2007 graduate Dean’s Medalists are:

• Tatjana Sikuljak of Serbia – College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

• Dawn Marie Dennise McIntosh of Los Gatos – College of Arts and Humanities

• Mark Andrew Riley of Fresno – Craig School of Business

• Scott Kupferman of Redlands – Kremen School of Education and Human Development

• Nell Katerina Papavasiliou of Torrance – College of Engineering

• Tonantzin Eva Soto of Marysville – College of Health and Human Services

• Denise Lynn Guerra-Lopez of Visalia – College of Science and Mathematics

• David Cyrus Pyrooz of Gustine – College of Social Sciences

• Simon F. Haeder of Germany – Division of Student Affairs

(Brief bios of the undergraduate and graduate Dean’s Medalists follow. For more detailed information about any of the students, contact Shirley Melikian Armbruster at 559.278.5292. Photos of the students are available.)

The Class of 2007 undergraduate Dean’s Medalists are:

College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Chad M. Souza,
B.S., Animal Sciences

Chad M. Souza completed his B.S. in Animal Sciences (meat technology specialization) with a 3.975 GPA. He qualified for the President’s List every semester and was the recipient of many scholarships at Fresno State. Active in the community, Souza has been involved in the Red Wave Classic Livestock Show, Meat Science Club and California FFA Field Day Student Committee. He won the Frank DeBenedetti Memorial Scholarship, which is presented by the National Meat Association.
 

College of Arts and Humanities
Michael E. Olsen,
B.A., Philosophy, Psychology

Michael E. Olsen completed his B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology with a 4.0 GPA. As president of the Recycling Club, he advocated a recycling program campuswide and sponsored Earth Day and America Recycles Day events. He also co-founded the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, which raises awareness of the importance of community service. He conducted research in Australia about the perpetuation of environmental goals. He has had manuscripts published in Voicing Ideas and has worked as a research assistant on the revision of a psychology textbook.

Craig School of Business
Clint Robert Stitser
B.S., Business Administration – Finance option

Clint Robert Stitser completed his B.S. in Business Administration, Finance Option, with a 4.0 GPA. As a member of the Fresno State football team, he received the Top Dog award for the player with the highest GPA. He was elected by teammates to serve on the Fresno State Football Leadership Council and on the Student Athlete Advisory Council. He was a frequent volunteer for the Big Heroes-Little Heroes program, which builds relationships with patients at Children’s Hospital Central California to increase self-esteem and establish role models. He is enrolled in the MBA program at Fresno State and plans a career in finance and investment banking. Ultimately, he plans to be a business owner.

Kremen School of Education and Human Development
Ser Cha
B.A., Liberal Studies

Ser Cha completed her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a 3.95 GPA. The daughter of Hmong parents who immigrated to Fresno 25 years ago, she recognizes the value of hard work. As a tutor in Fresno State’s Minicorps Program, she worked with Fresno Unified students in a Hmong language classroom. As a volunteer for Stone Soup Fresno, she coordinated the annual fundraising event. Cha was a student representative on the University Student Union Board of Directors for two years and chaired its Budget and Finance Committee. She received the 2006-2007 Tokalon Scholarship Award and certificates of achievement form the Emerging Leaders Retreat, the Leaders of Tomorrow Program and the Southeast Asian Teachers’ Association. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in education.

College of Engineering
Sean M. Smith
B.S., Civil Engineering

Sean M. Smith completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering with a 3.947 GPA. He is a Smittcamp Family Honors College scholar, was president of the Engineering Joint Student Council and served as the Associated Students senator for the College of Engineering and on the ASI Finance Committee. He was a member of the planning committee for the Student Recreation Center and expanded the University Courtyard recycling program. He volunteered for the Central California Blood Center and Kids Day, and played the Bulldog mascot, Timeout, as well as George the Giraffe for Children’s Hospital Central California. He was president/coach of the Bulldog men’s water polo club team.

College of Health and Human Services
Maria L. Ramos
B.A., Social Work

Maria L. Ramos completed her B.A. in Social Work with a 4.0 GPA. As part of an immigrant family from Mexico, it took determination and perseverance for her to earn her degree. In addition to academic pursuits, she has been an active volunteer. She served as a student ambassador for University Outreach Services, volunteered with the Angels of Grace foster family agency, served as a tutor/mentor for Roosevelt High School and interned at the Fresno Housing Authority and the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. Her numerous awards include the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Hispanic College Fund and Governor’s scholarships.

College of Science and Mathematics
Felix R. Perez
B.S., Chemistry

Felix R. Perez completed his B.S. in Chemistry with a 4.0 GPA. A 2005-2006 McNair Scholar, he also was in the Alliance for Minority Participation, in which he mentored and tutored other students. Perez was awarded $5,000 for a 2005 internship for Pfizer Summer Minority Research Fellowship in Organic Chemistry in a statewide competition. In March 2006, he presented his research at the 231st national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Atlanta and is expected to submit a paper on his work for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry and hopes to have a career as a professor.

College of Social Science
Bradley Hart
B.A., History, Philosophy

Bradley Hart completed his B.A. in History and Philosophy with a 4.0 GPA. He has been a research assistant, analyzing secondary and primary source documents on German intelligence operations during World War II. He is a member of the Philosophy Club and four honor societies: the Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda Leadership and Honor Society. He worked as a writer, opinion editor and associate editor for the Collegian and as a radio news writer. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in modern European history at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Division of Student Affairs
Sweet Khaing Thet Aung
B.S., Computer Engineering

Sweet Khaing Thet Aung completed her B.S. in Computer Engineering with a 3.598 GPA. A native of Myanmar, she witnessed a terrible factory accident that injured a worker. That made her decide to become an engineer so she could design safer equipment. While on campus, she was involved in the Engineering Honor Society for Electrical and Computer Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the Society of Women Engineers (which she helped found) and Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society. She has also contributed to several International Cultural Night events, the International Student Commencement and many workshops.

The Class of 2007 graduate Dean’s Medalists are:

College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Tatjana Sikuljak
M.S., Plant Science

Tatjana Sikuljak completed her M.S. in Plant Science with a 4.0 GPA. Sikuljak came to California as part of a summer work abroad program while working on her undergraduate degree in crop protection at the University of Belgrade in Serbia. While pursuing her master’s degree, she worked full time as an agricultural biologist. Her thesis research, done in collaboration with USDA, involved the bacteria that causes diseases in almonds, which has recently emerged as a serious threat to almond production in California.

College of Arts and Humanities
Dawn Marie Dennise McIntosh
M.A., Communication

Dawn Marie McIntosh completed her M.A. in Communication with a 3.9 GPA. An accomplished researcher and ethnographer, McIntosh’s interests are in communication in the areas of race/ethnicity, gender and sexuality. She presented two research papers at the National Communication Association and was a student reviewer of other applicants’ submissions for the NCA and the National Women’s Studies Association. She has been accepted to several doctoral programs.

The Craig School of Business
Mark Andrew Riley
Master of Business Administration

Mark Andrew Riley completed his Master of Business Administration with a 4.0 GPA. A corporate banker for 15 years, Riley has been chosen by his employer, County Bank, to attend the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Outside of his career and scholastic achievements, Riley is a member of the board of directors for the Community Food Bank and the vice president of administration for the Craig School of Business Alumni and Friends Board of Directors.

Kremen School of Education and Human Development
Scott Kupferman
M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling

Scott Kupferman completed his M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling with a 4.0 GPA. In September 2006, he was selected to receive the Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner’s Award for Excellence by the United States Department of Education. His research has been described as ground-breaking: he has developed software for an assistive computer-input device with patent pending. Kupferman also established the Global Assistive Technology Initiative, a nonprofit organization that focuses on technology for people with disabilities.

College of Engineering
Nell Katerina Papavasiliou
M.S., Electrical Engineering

Nell Papavasiliou completed her M.S. in Electrical Engineering with a 3.85 GPA. After completing her undergraduate degree, Papavasiliou worked as an engineer, which was a solid foundation for her graduate studies. While at Fresno State, she developed a specialty in optics that qualified her for employment as a junior optical engineer with Pelco in Clovis. She also was an instructional assistant for two undergraduate classes.

College of Health and Human Services
Tonantzin Eva Soto
Master of Public Health

Tonantzin Soto completed her Master of Public Health with a 4.0 GPA. She has been employed as a research assistant at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute and in 2006 she was awarded a prestigious internship at the Harvard Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she examined cancer risk factors among low-income housing residents. Soto was accepted into two medical schools but decided to enter a Ph.D. program at the Harvard School of Public Health.

College of Science and Mathematics
Denise Lynn Guerra-Lopez
M.S., Biology

Denise Guerra-Lopez completed her M.S. in Biology with a 4.0 GPA. Guerra-Lopez was awarded a highly competitive fellowship by the Environmental Protection Agency. She has presented her research findings orally or in poster format nine times at regional, national and international meetings. A paper that describes her thesis research was accepted by the journal Microbiology. Guerra-Lopez is employed as a public health microbiologist.

College of Social Science
David Cyrus Pyrooz
M.S., Criminology

David Pyrooz completed his M.S. in Criminology with a 3.9 GPA. With a number of papers and presentations to his credit, Pyrooz excels at criminology research. His master’s research examines the effects of low self-control and learning variables on gang membership. While completing his graduate degree, he was a graduate researcher on several projects and a teaching assistant.

Division of Student Affairs,
Simon F. Haeder
M.A., International Relations

Simon F. Haeder completed his M.A. in International Relations with a 4.0 GPA. Haeder, who is from Germany, came to Fresno State in 2004. Among his leadership roles were internship coordinator for the Maddy Institute and speaker pro tempore and senator for Associated Students Inc. He founded Pi Gamma Mu, international honor society for the social sciences, as well as Pi Sigma Alpha, national honor society for political science. He was a Jim Costa Scholar and completed internships in the offices of U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein and State Sen. Dean Florez.